Hudson beat out seven others for Tech job

WHAT ABOUT REALIGNMENT?Some supporters of moving UHV into a new system say they prefer the Tech System over the A&M System. They also say the Tech System shows strong interest in joining with UHV.

Did Tech hire Tim Hudson in any way to prompt such a move?

"We hired Dr. Hudson because he was the best-qualified candidate," Kent Hance, the chancellor, said. "Any changes within the Texas Tech University System will be left up to the Legislature."

The Texas Tech University System hired Tim Hudson from a field of seven candidates because of his feats at the University of Houston-Victoria.

Tech Chancellor Kent Hance announced Monday that Hudson, the former UHV president, is the system's new vice chancellor. Hudson will focus on distance education and academic affairs, and advise Hance regarding trends, policy and programs at each of the system's three schools. He begins Aug. 1.

"With Dr. Hudson's leadership, our institutions will be at the forefront of distance and online education, providing our students with the best possible opportunities to succeed," Hance said by email.

As UHV president, Hudson created several new degrees, doubled enrollment - thanks in large part to distance learning students - and helped to make UHV a Texas leader in online programs, Hance said.

As the demand for online education increases, many university systems are pushing for advances in innovation. Online learning is expected to grow from 780,000 students in 2004 to almost four million by 2014, according to Eduventures, a research group.

"Technology is key to closing the gap to students wherever they are," Hudson said by phone. "We're going to try to push Tech to the next level."

Hudson was a top candidate for several jobs around the country, but he chose Texas Tech, he said, because it is committed to expanding access to higher education, sharing ideas and innovation.

Part of Hudson's first task will be to develop a systemwide strategy to enhance access to curriculum, improve efficiency and increase course offerings, Hance said.

Hudson's salary and benefits package are not yet finalized, and thus Hance declined to disclose those details.

Money aside, Hudson said the move to Lubbock is bittersweet. During his time as UHV president, from 2004 to 2010, he immersed himself in the community and established strong ties.

"I think in some ways we completely reset the opportunity horizon for that university, and we couldn't have done that without the support of the community, faculty and staff," he said.

Since August, Hudson served as special assistant to the UH System chancellor for international programs and initiatives. Before becoming UHV president, he served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Southern Mississippi.

"It is a privilege to join the Texas Tech University System, a nationally recognized, premier system of higher education," Hudson said. "This is an opportunity to work at a level that's quite exciting."